Astronomers at the Complutense University of Madrid first spotted this intriguing event using a powerful telescope in Sutherland, South Africa. The tiny asteroid, measuring just 37 feet wide, has been temporarily ensnared by Earth’s gravitational pull, transforming it into a mini-moon.
Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), explains, “These happen with some frequency, but we rarely see them because they’re very small and very hard to detect. Only recently has our survey capability reached the point of spotting them routinely.”
While Earth’s primary moon boasts a diameter of 2,159 miles, 2024 PT5 is comparatively minuscule. To put it in perspective :
- Earth’s moon : 2,159 miles wide
- Asteroid 2024 PT5 : 37 feet wide
- Size difference : Earth’s moon is over 300,000 times wider
Despite its small size, this temporary satellite provides valuable insights into our cosmic neighborhood and the dynamics of near-Earth objects.
The journey of Earth’s new mini-moon
Asteroid 2024 PT5 belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of space rocks that follow orbits similar to Earth’s, approximately 93 million miles from the sun. Some Arjuna asteroids can approach our planet at a close range of around 2.8 million miles, traveling at relatively low velocities of less than 2,200 miles per hour.
According to data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Horizons system, 2024 PT5’s stay in Earth’s orbit will be brief. The capture began at 3 :54 p.m. EDT on September 29, 2024, and is expected to end at 11 :43 a.m. EDT on November 25, 2024.
Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a professor and mini-moon expert from the Complutense University, likens the asteroid’s behavior to that of a window shopper. He states, “Asteroid 2024 PT5 will not describe a full orbit around Earth. You may say that if a true satellite is like a customer buying goods inside a store, objects like 2024 PT5 are window shoppers.”
This celestial visitor’s journey serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system. While it won’t remain in Earth’s orbit for billions of years like our primary moon, its fleeting presence offers a unique opportunity for scientific study.
The significance of mini-moons in astronomical research
Mini-moons like 2024 PT5 provide scientists with valuable opportunities to study near-Earth objects up close. These temporary captures act as natural cosmic laboratories, offering insights into the composition of asteroids and the intricate workings of our solar system.
Binzel emphasizes the importance of these events, stating, “These temporary captures are natural cosmic laboratories. They help us understand the small bodies that come close to Earth and could be important for future space missions.”
While mini-moons are too small and dim for most amateur astronomers to observe, they fall within the detection range of professional-grade telescopes. To spot 2024 PT5, one would need :
| Equipment | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Telescope diameter | At least 30 inches |
| Detector | CCD or CMOS |
The study of mini-moons contributes to our understanding of near-Earth asteroids and their potential impact on our planet. By analyzing these temporary satellites, scientists can refine their models of asteroid behavior and improve our ability to predict and mitigate potential collisions.
Future implications and ongoing research
As technology advances, researchers hope to study these fleeting visitors more closely. Future missions may even attempt to gather samples or test new spacecraft designs using mini-moons as targets.
The discovery of 2024 PT5 and other mini-moons highlights the ever-changing nature of our cosmic environment. It serves as a reminder that our solar system is a dynamic place, full of surprises and opportunities for scientific exploration.
While Earth’s second moon may be temporary, its presence opens up new avenues for research and discovery. As we continue to scan the skies, who knows what other celestial wonders we might uncover ? The universe never ceases to amaze, and each new finding brings us one step closer to unraveling its mysteries.
So what will happen to the asteroid once it stops orbiting the earth?
I’ve got a question is there a second moon moving faster than our first moon is the secondary Moon going to collide with our first moon and if it does what kind of catastrophic effects will it have on the Earth
Nobody has mentioned the possibility, this asteroid is a artificial satellite launched to orbit the Earth and gather data on the planet.
Where is Apophis? And is it going to miss the Earth between 18 and 20 thousand miles?
Can these mini moons be used as research platforms as they venture back off into interstellar space at the end of their visit?
Balj eet Soni – Once it stops orbiting the Earth, it will proceed on its way following a now modified orbit around the sun.
Paul skip markle – It will not collide with our primary moon. Space is big and orbits are predictable.
Martee – Nobody has mentioned the possibility of it being an artificial satellite because it’s not. It is an asteroid about three yards wide visible in a large enough telescope. If it were an artificial man-made satellite we would know.
Roque Rodriguez -Apothis is currently in the constellation Libra, 288,933,624 kilometers from Earth. It’s not visible from Earth because it’s below the horizon at night. Apothis absolutely will not hit the Earth when it approaches in 2029 and 2036. We can say that based on radar measurements of its orbit when it last passed by. It’s too early to say for certain about 2068 because each close pass by Earth modifies it’s orbit a little. However the odds of collision then are very low. Long term, the odds of Apothis hitting the Earth eventually are much higher than we would like and sticking a laser responder on the surface in a future mission, so that we could always track its orbit exactly, would seem to be money well spent.
Jploflin – That’s an excellent question. The short answer is that while we aren’t prepared this time, it is absolutely a possibility for the future, particularly for the long-term study of the mini moons themselves and their chemistry and structure over time. The counter argument for a more general research platform attached to the mini moon is that having spent the delta-v, basically the energy cost of reaching and matching the orbit of the mini moon, the gravity of the mini moon is virtually non-existent and so we might as well send the research platform out on it’s own as an independent spacecraft in an orbit of our own choosing to approach areas and bodies of interest. The natural orbit of the mini moon is likely to be pretty boring by comparison.
Can we see from earth without telescope?
Quickly get our bags pack free rides pack lunch too as long trip.on new moon.
No doubt mini moon and other marvelous cosmic events act as “Natural Cosmic Laboratories” for
further research. I wonder whether one of the near-Earth-objects of reasonable size and distance can be CAPTURED and NAVIGATED to function as a temporary “SHIELD” between Earth and the Sun in order to combat climate change. For example programming a fully monitored REVERSIBLE asteroid-induced Solar eclipse for neutralizing the adverse effects of global warming. This would be akin to the Solar eclipse periodically induced by our own moon. Natural eclipse vs Artificial eclipse!
You just make stuff up out of ignorance…..
This is absolutely NOT groundbreaking, and it’s not even a rare thing.
Also, it’s absolutely NOT in orbit around earth. It’s going to do a slingshot around us, just like we have our space probes do around other planets.
Maybe a few minutes actually studying what an “orbit” is would keep you from looking so ignorant..🤷♂️
So…. you meen to tell us that suddenly after many, many, many years of supposed space exploration, you discover a second moon? Seriously question the ability of our space station that has not found this, until now. I call BS!
Was that a note to self? I think someone accidentally used the message board as a notepad. I hope everything is ok.
Does the appearance of this mini moon have anything to do with Jupiter being so near to earth?
Awwwwww… I was able to verify and record several times proof of 2 so called earth moons… Or better yet 1 earth moon and 1 satellite…. With my human eyesight.. and when I say human eyesight. I’m validating that my research did not require anything more then just paying attention to anything and everything around. Above or beneath you
Absolutely fake… It’s a trap.. and I’m positive our current president Donald Trump will assign the correct team to stop this invasion..
Two days ago the moons round shape was distorted.I notice irregular shape not half rather reduced size on the left and right middle flanks .
This whole thing is complete BS. There is no “space” above the sky. Nasa is just trying to say anything they can to make people believe their nonsense. Read the article again and see how they are tryinb to manipulate your mind into believing their nonsense.
Our moon and sun are both local. Not millions of miles away. And the earth is flat with a dome. Come on people, dont be a sheep and don’t take what anyone, esp Nasa or our government, says as truth. ..Do your own experiments and Research yourself.
You will see….
Love this new idea of mini moons and discovering new things in our universe